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Compaq Deskpro 386

1986–1988 · desktop

Specifications

Cpu: Intel 80386, 16 MHz
Gpu: None integrated; video via add-in ISA card (CGA, EGA, or MDA)
Ram: max: 14 MB via proprietary 32-bit memory expansion boards · base: 1 MB
Ports: Parallel · Serial · Keyboard (DIN) · Expansion slots x8 (ISA, one 32-bit proprietary memory slot)
Display: MDA/CGA/EGA supported via add-in card, no integrated video
Storage: base: 1.2 MB 5.25" floppy drive, no hard drive standard · options: 40 MB hard drive · 70 MB hard drive
Os Support: latest: MS-DOS 6.22 / early Windows 3.x (unofficial, community-tested) · shipped: MS-DOS 3.1
Release Price: $6,499 (base configuration)

Variants

Models

Deskpro 386/16Launch configuration at 16 MHz, the first 386-based PC to ship, beating IBM's PS/2 Model 80 to market by roughly seven months.

Deskpro 386/201987 update running the 80386 at 20 MHz.

Upgrade paths

RAM

14 MB via Compaq's proprietary 32-bit memory expansion board in the dedicated slot · Standard ISA slots were 16-bit and couldn't address the 386's full 32-bit bus, so Compaq designed a dedicated 32-bit slot just for memory expansion.

~$1,500 for a fully populated expansion board at the time

MODERATE

storage

70 MB hard drive plus the 1.2 MB floppy, or third-party MFM/RLL drives via the ISA controller · No hard drive was standard on entry units; most buyers added one immediately given the machine's role as a workstation and server.

~$1,000 for a period 70 MB drive kit

MODERATE

CPU

Locked to the socketed 80386 (16 or 20 MHz depending on model) · The 386 was socketed rather than soldered, so hobbyists have swapped in higher-clocked 386 parts, but no official Compaq upgrade path existed.

HARD

display

EGA or early VGA-compatible card via ISA · No video was built in, so display capability was entirely a function of the add-in card fitted.

~$300-$600 for a period EGA/VGA card

EASY